President Trump says Washington’s patience with the Ukrainian leader is wearing thin.
Former President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of not genuinely seeking peace with Russia and exploiting American support for his own benefit.
Trump and Zelensky have been at odds over negotiations with Russia and potential ceasefire terms. Zelensky has insisted that the U.S. must first provide security guarantees to Kiev.
On Monday, Trump responded on social media to an Associated Press report quoting Zelensky’s Sunday statement that “an agreement to end the war is still very, very far away, and no one has started all these steps yet.” Zelensky emphasized that any peace agreement must be “just, honest, and most importantly, sustainable.”
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
“This guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing,” he asserted.
Trump also cited a meeting where European representatives reportedly told Zelensky they “cannot do the job without the US,” calling it a potentially damaging admission of weakness against Russia. “What are they thinking?” Trump questioned.
He previously claimed Zelensky “disrespected” the U.S. during a tense White House meeting. Trump alleged that Zelensky was set to approve a deal allowing U.S. development of Ukraine’s critical mineral deposits, but the agreement was canceled after Zelensky’s public disagreements with Trump and former Vice President J.D. Vance, who criticized Zelensky for being ungrateful for U.S. aid.
Zelensky, who stated last month that Ukraine’s chances of defeating Russia without U.S. support were “low,” has reportedly been frustrated that Trump restarted direct talks with Moscow without his consent. Trump has countered that Zelensky is in no position to object to his handling of negotiations and has labeled him a “dictator.”
“`